Is my microwave done?

It's done, not worth repairing. Don't risk it with a fire hazard.

Pop off the mica paper and see what type of damage was done. From the picture, it's impossible to tell if it was the paper that burned or something burned inside causing the paper to burn.

craftsman wrote: ↑ Pop off the mica paper and see what type of damage was done. From the picture, it's impossible to tell if it was the paper that burned or something burned inside causing the paper to burn.

I've never had a burning piece of paper make a "loud electrical buzz" before.

Kiraly wrote: ↑ I've never had a burning piece of paper make a "loud electrical buzz" before.

True but we weren't there to hear it so it's kind of hard to say what is meant by a "loud electrical buzz".

The mica paper is what dissipates the microwave energy thoughout the oven. It failing making a hole causing energy to rush through that hole causing loud buzz and burns the paper around that area.
I had the same problem. There were occasional weird buzz noises. I ignored it until it gave of bright flashing and left a burn mark at that area. I inspected and the mica paper had a mushy spot where it disintegrated. cutting a new mica fixed my problem immediately. My microwave is still doing well after a year from then

It is not worth it , toss it and get a new one. They are relatively cheap

craftsman wrote: ↑ Pop off the mica paper and see what type of damage was done. From the picture, it's impossible to tell if it was the paper that burned or something burned inside causing the paper to burn.

This unit actually has no mica paper, it's a plastic cover that disintegrated when I took it off. Looked inside the wave guide and looks clean in there, only visible mark is a dot of scorched metal just under the cover. Looking around seems mica is the only replacement option, watched some youtube videos of how to cut it to fit the grooves.

Just had a closer look and this microwave was manufactured in july of 1993! I'll start looking around for a replacement, but in the meantime I'll try the mica paper and test it outside the house in case it goes boom lol.

Believe it or not but microwaves can last a heck of a long time and have gotten bad reputation of them being extremely dangerous.

I'm running a microwave that my parents purchased in the 80s.

Since you are going to fix it, you should take the cover off and clean out the dust bunnies inside as the fan would have moved a lot of dust and grease filled air through the back end of the microwave.

craftsman wrote: ↑ Believe it or not but microwaves can last a heck of a long time and have gotten bad reputation of them being extremely dangerous.

I'm running a microwave that my parents purchased in the 80s.

Since you are going to fix it, you should take the cover off and clean out the dust bunnies inside as the fan would have moved a lot of dust and grease filled air through the back end of the microwave.

Thanks, I'll check it out. Don't see much dust though the vents but its likely there.

These old units seem to last forever, looking at costco reviews and looking at how many microwaves we've been though at work, definitely feels as though new ones are garbage. Undoubtedly a good portion of that is likely user error and abuse, yet some units at costco have just terrible reviews all round.

Older microwaves have no moving parts and can last generations. It's the door spring that tends to fail first. New ones are pretty cheap, but they're cheaply made, too - 90% of them are made by Galanz or Midea. Only a few premium models are made 'in house' by an electronics company - Panasonic's inverter microwaves are one example. That also means that for 90% of microwaves it doesn't matter what you buy, the internals are pretty much the same and it's just the detailing. If you have an older one that's going strong and just needs a small repair, then taking care of it could mean you get another 10 years out of it instead of buying a cheaply made one.

M1K3Z0R wrote: ↑ Thanks, I'll check it out. Don't see much dust though the vents but its likely there.

These old units seem to last forever, looking at costco reviews and looking at how many microwaves we've been though at work, definitely feels as though new ones are garbage. Undoubtedly a good portion of that is likely user error and abuse, yet some units at costco have just terrible reviews all round.

My vents were clear as well... There was some build-up of greasy dust around the fan.

Kiraly wrote: ↑ I've never had a burning piece of paper make a "loud electrical buzz" before.

craftsman wrote: ↑ True but we weren't there to hear it so it's kind of hard to say what is meant by a "loud electrical buzz".

IMHO a "loud electrical buzz" means a loud electrical buzz... And have nothing to do with the noise a mica sheet would make while it burns.... You are right, we weren't there, but you surely can guess without being there....

DoorCrasher wrote: ↑ IMHO a "loud electrical buzz" means a loud electrical buzz... And have nothing to do with the noise a mica sheet would make while it burns.... You are right, we weren't there, but you surely can guess without being there....

Actually, you can't.

Ask any mechanic about an owner's description of a noise that the car makes... a "tick, tick, tick" to you might be "wham, wham, wham" to someone else.

Yup, nuked.

M1K3Z0R wrote: ↑ Just had a closer look and this microwave was manufactured in july of 1993! I'll start looking around for a replacement, but in the meantime I'll try the mica paper and test it outside the house in case it goes boom lol.

You have one of the good ones.
Do try to fix it, they were made to last in those days.

But don't take risks, if it turns out to be a fire hazard then do replace it.
You might want to find a specialized electronics forum to advise you though.

peepthetoad wrote: ↑ The mica paper is what dissipates the microwave energy thoughout the oven.

It's just a physical barrier to protect the "internals", that is by necessity:
- microwave transparent
- heat resistant
- waterproof
- reasonably durable

It has nothing to do with "dissipation".

craftsman wrote: ↑ Actually, you can't.

Ask any mechanic about an owner's description of a noise that the car makes... a "tick, tick, tick" to you might be "wham, wham, wham" to someone else.

I don't know what can cause a "tick, tick, tick" nor a "wham wham wham" but for sure I know can hear the difference between those 2 different sounds. Just like the I know the difference between a "loud electrical buzz" and any other noise coming from a microwave. And I am sure that OP is as good as me ro recognise a electrical buzz sound. Can't tell the cause, but surely can tell that what he heard is an electrical buzz. But maybe some just can't.

DoorCrasher wrote: ↑ I don't know what can cause a "tick, tick, tick" nor a "wham wham wham" but for sure I know can hear the difference between those 2 different sounds. Just like the I know the difference between a "loud electrical buzz" and any other noise coming from a microwave. And I am sure that OP is as good as me ro recognise a electrical buzz sound. Can't tell the cause, but surely can tell that what he heard is an electrical buzz. But maybe some just can't.

arisk wrote: ↑ It's just a physical barrier to protect the "internals", that is by necessity:
- microwave transparent
- heat resistant
- waterproof
- reasonably durable

It has nothing to do with "dissipation".

It does. Please read.

What are the functions of a mica plate? Protects the microwave generator from heat during heating or cooking. Distributes the microwaves inside the chamber evenly. Protects the magnetron from molecules of aromas, particles of steam, fat, food, which, when using a microwave, will inevitably splash around the working chamber.
Source: https://purity.techexpertolux.com/en/te ... novki.html

Just get a new microwave (from costco ... since tons of people buy use and return) and be done with the pathetic headaches and wasted time to fix it.